Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Dodgers had not placed Manny Ramirez on waivers as of late Tuesday, baseball sources told The Times, but the Chicago White Sox reportedly plan to claim the 38-year-old slugger if he does land on the waiver wire.

Club officials aren't permitted to discuss which players are placed on waivers, but the report on FoxSports.com that the White Sox were interested — attributed to an unidentified source — revved up the discussion about whether Ramirez would finish his season with a team other than the Dodgers.

"Can he help us? I don't know because he hasn't played in the big leagues in a while," White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters in Chicago. Ramirez recently returned from his third stint on the disabled list this season.

Even so, "he's a presence in the lineup," Guillen said. "Manny is a tremendous hitter."

The Dodgers most likely will put Ramirez on waivers Tuesday or Wednesday in hopes of ridding themselves of an unproductive player who no longer can play the outfield sufficiently in the National League. Ramirez, 38, has been on the disabled list three times in 2010.

"I don't think that it's anything different than what goes on in July. All the rumors that fly around in July about trade possibilities," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "You know I can't talk about what's going on, but just the attitude, I don't see any concern, first off in his game. ... You really are bred to deal with distractions. It's our job, and so, I don't see it affecting him at this point."

Oh yeah, and the White Sox aren’t the only ones who want Manny. The Tampa Rays have guarded interest, as well. And I bet there are other teams interested in Manny Ramirez, whom we should consider trading if we can get some value for him (rather than let him go at season’s end for nothing).

While we’re at it, discussing wanting players not yet available, I would like to add that I’d like a double-scoop chocolate ice cream cone, a pool with waterslide, and a pony.

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comments:

I kinda think ChiSox blew it by being so public about their intentions to claim him. Now the Dodgers know they're only going to have one team to work with. The Dodgers will have almost no leverage, to boot. They may not even bother now.

All the blatant interest from the Sox de Blanco is kinda interesting. I've been trying to figure why they're even mentioning it. They've got the lowest winning percentage of any team that has a realistic shot at contention, so they've got first crack.

I don't think Kenny Williams is out of line here. He knows that Ned might not and it's just forcing Ned's hand. The Sox need Manny now. KW is usually secretive in conducting his business so I doubt he has done anything rash.

@Mr. C: I forgot about the whole contenders qualification, so disregard my second comment.

He still would have to pass through the NL first. I could see the Giants putting a claim on him, knowing full well the Dodgers wouldn't work out a deal with them and Manny would be stuck. (My speculation is based on the rumor that the Dodgers claimed Adam Dunn to block the Giants, and this would be their retaliation move.)

@Josh - I think Ned would let Manny walk if the Giants put in a claim. That's $4.25 million off the books for Frank. Of course, I also think Manny will block it with his no trade clause if an NL team gets the claim.

I had immediately assumed it would be an AL team, I didn't consider the straight block move. It's a pretty big risk unless it were a team that had a place to put him, which seems really unlikely in the NL.

They were all on one team briefly in the last 2 months of the season. Manny arrived in early August, relegating Pierre to PH duty and Andruw Jones was useless that year so his appearances were few and far in between.

All 3 players appeared in the same lineup on August 9, 2008. Because of the DH role, Juan Pierre will get more playing time with Manny's expected arrival this time around.